Third Tuesday in Ordinary Time

From the Word of the Day

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God for the promise of life in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my dear child: grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. (2 Timothy 1, 1-2)

How should we live this Word

Paul is one of the personalities richest in human gifts besides those received through grace, and to respond to his passionate dedication to Christ. The first elements of Christian theology, of the truths to be believed, come from him, from his Letters inspired by the Holy Spirit. His make-up is such that he cannot be silent about the mystical experiences he has had; however, he is deeply human.

What does this mean for his role as teacher, formator, and father of those who convert to Christ? Substantially, it means that he knew how to be in rapport with his spiritual children and disciples with true human warmth, with the tenderness that addresses the heart more than the head. He presents a most efficacious approach about what he will tell Timothy. Paul reminds him that he always prays for him, night and day. What’s more, he calls him ‘my dear child’, and invokes for him from God ‘grace, mercy, and peace’. In the course of the letter, he recalls the honesty of Timothy and is moved as he remembers even his grandmother and mother, so full of faith.

Sometimes we may meet Christians who are cold, seemingly without affection, alongside others who exaggerate with sentimental devotional expressions. The faith that the Lord wants of us is the one that is inflamed with the fire of truth to the point that it revives the area of our authentic, deep, and healthy sentiments.

In my pause for silent contemplation, I will ponder the human tenderness of Jesus and how Paul imitates Him. I will ask Jesus to fill my heart with these sentiments.

Lord, give me above all in my family and then with my colleagues at work or study to live rapports that are warm with sentiments that better life and faith in a climate of serene hope and joy.

The Voice of Tonino Bello, Servant of God

If faith makes us believers and hope makes us credible, it is only charity that makes us be believed.